Note to Reader;

Context is important. In the 1970s, the first streamkeeper groups were formed in British Columbia. They had an immediate impact. They galvanized government into action. By the 1990s, a landmark success story was the Urban Salmon Habitat Program. It forged relationships between local governments and stewardship groups. This helped to set in motion a provincial ‘whole-system, water balance’ journey that continues to this day.

Fast forward to the present. Anecdotal evidence suggests a groundswell of heightened awareness of the watershed context for “the creek that flows through my backyard”. Awareness is translating into involvement and empowerment to make a difference.

On April 11-12, 2018, join us in Nanaimo for a symposium on watershed stewardship, the water balance and restorative development. Adapting to climate change requires transformation in how we value nature and service land. An informed stewardship sector can be a catalyst for action. Learn what stewardship groups are already doing to make a difference!

The Hard Work of Hope: Water Stewardship in a Changing Climate – Collaboration Success Stories

Did we make the wrong land use decisions?

“Changes in the global climate are accelerating and disrupting the water cycle. Local consequences, ofttimes negative, are magnified. To make the right decisions, we need to understand how and where the water rhythms are changing. We must adjust our land use and infrastructure practices before its too late,” states John Finnie, Chair of the Nanaimo Symposium Organizing Committee.

“Local government collaboration with the stewardship sector is a key component of this undertaking. Learning from other’s activities, challenges and successes provides a pathway to changing our land use and infrastructure servicing practices.

“In addition to being a learning event, the symposium will provide opportunity for delegates to hear from and interact with representatives from various sectors of the water community, and provide impetus for the implementation of meaningful environmental policy and procedures.”

“Attend the symposium on April 11-12, 2018. Listen. Hear. Be heard. And make a difference.”

Community Empowerment & Sustainable Partnerships with Local Government

A panel segment is the heart of the program. It has two parts: first, panel reflections; then, ‘town-hall interaction’. The panel will showcase success stories resulting from local government and stewardship sector collaboration.

Panel members will paint a picture of what collaboration must look like in practice to truly achieve the vision for restorative development. The desired outcome: participants will be inspired to make a difference!

Convening for Action in the Nanaimo Region:

Communication, cooperation, coordination and collaboration – have you thought about the power of the 4Cs? When all four are in play, good things happen.

Are you aware of the beneficial outcomes that are flowing from collaboration between local government and the stewardship sector in the Nanaimo region?

Citizen Science:

The foregoing questions provide context for the two-part panel segment of the program.

PRIMING THE AUDIENCE: In their prepared remarks, panelists will shine the spotlight on the role played by the stewardship sector in building trust and delivering outcomes through effective partnerships with local governments. They will give examples of how their project(s) relate to the foregoing.

TOWN-HALL INTERACTION: Panelists will reflect on the value of ‘citizen science’ and how it can be leveraged to achieve two complementary objectives: educate the local community (public); and provide an impetus for political action that results in implementation of environmental policy at the local and/or provincial level.

The panel lens is a watershed lens – what do we want this watershed to look like? The desired outcome: the audience will be energized and inspired to make a difference regarding restorative development!